MATT PERGER

BARISTA HUSTLEAustralia

“ Raw Material are good humans, doing wonderful things through the entire length of the coffee supply chain. I have absolutely no hesitations about throwing a whole heap of money at some really great coffee at El Fénix. This is a great opportunity to do something special, and if I were you, I would not hesitate. ”

HIDE IZAKI

SAMURAI COFFEE EXPERIENCEJapan

2014 World Barista Champion

" El Fénix will help farmers process their coffee and connect them to international buyers. This may sound normal but it's not. To process and dry coffee requires tons of work and effort — and it's expensive. By allowing farmers to focus on coffee farming and connecting them to the specialty coffee market, El Fénix will allow for farmers to receive a higher price for their coffee. "

AMY BALL

WORLD COFFEE EVENTSUSA

Full-Time Baller

“ The Raw Material crew works really hard, and smartly, to make the world a better place. I'd choose to live in a remote row of tiny best-friend cottages with at least two of them if it were an option. This is a team of nerds, in the best possible way: about coffee, efficiency, processes that make sense, free thought, and free people – all great things to nerd out about. ”

MARIO FERNANDEZ

COFFEE QUALITY INSTITUTEMexico / USA

“ I have known the Raw Material crew since 2012. Since the beginning, I was impressed by their level of passion and intelligence. Both attributes combined imply they are a very geeky coffee team, but that's exactly what our industry needs. I'm proud of roasters and importers that dare to invest and commit long-term with a producer community. I wish we had more El Fénix projects in this world. Knowing these guys and the quality from this region, this project is going to succeed, big time. ”

TRISH ROTHGEB & NICK CHO

WRECKING BALL COFFEE ROASTERSUSA

“ A meaningful change in the livelihoods of coffee producers is only possible through real investment in those communities. This makes the El Fénix project so important, both as a local resource for farmers in Colombia, and as a model for everyone within the coffee world. We're so excited to support this project and we hope you will too. ”

MATT SLATER

INTERNATIONAL RE:CO SYMPOSIUMUnited Kingdom

“ Raw Material embody both the spirit and strength of collaboration in the specialty coffee community; something we can all learn from and pay close attention to as we face some challenging times in the coffee lands. They are a collective of inspirational individuals, who through pure collaboration recognise that risks are worth taking if they are to affect change and create positive impact. This project is proof that as a global specialty coffee community we can do great things together. "

FELIPE ANDRES OSPINA

COLORS OF NATUREColombia / Japan

“ We have been very lucky to know and work together with Raw Material. We are very excited about this new project. This company has been doing great for the Colombian farmers so far, we ourselves have hundreds of farmers that have been helped by Raw Material. Wet mills will be the best way for community development here in Colombia. ”

FREDA YUAN

CARAVAN COFFEE ROASTERSTaiwan / United Kingdom

3rd 2017 World Cup Tasters Championship

“ There are so many difficulties at origin: climate change, leaf rust, bora, lack of labour, fluctuating currency ... etc. This is a project through which we can help solve some issues in a more effective way. Each person at Raw Material is down to earth, they care about each individual, and listen mindfully. Most importantly, they act accordingly. That says a lot. ”

ANDREW HETZEL

COFFEE STRATEGIESEverywhere

“ I've worked extensively with the Raw Material team over the past few years in Myanmar and elsewhere, helping to improve the quality and value of coffee production benefiting farmers. They are extraordinarily bright social entrepreneurs working hard to make the world a better place and I pledge my full support to their ventures. ”

TORSTEN HAHN

GOOD KARMA COFFEEGermany

“ I knew these guys before I started my own roastery in Germany. I was travelling in New Zealand and managed to talk them into selling me some of their very first shipment of Colombian green beans. We have happily worked with them ever since, building our company on the foundation of these outstanding speciality coffees. Now they’ve created this amazing community wet mill project — I shouldn't be surprised, so instead I'm totally stoked. ”

VAIVA MAS

Lithuania / United Kingdom

2014, 2015 Lithuanian Barista Champion

“ The people behind Raw Material are not only about high quality coffee, they’re also about high quality relationships. From the people who produce coffee, those who buy, and with people who consume it; I think this is the only way forward for us as a specialty coffee community. ”

ASTON UTON

COMMON GROUNDSIndonesia

“ Having worked with Raw Material before, is all we really needed to get on board with this project. Looking forward to being a part of something that will smash boundaries. ”

LISA CONWAY

COFFEE QUALITY INSTITUTEUSA

" Raw Material’s vision and plan to build this community mill and processing hub will set the community of Calarcá on a path of self-determination. It will enable them to produce quality coffee and negotiate higher prices for their green beans. I have worked with Raw Material on other coffee-dependent development projects and their intelligence, dedication, and humble determination to design practical solutions for producers and create sustainable market linkages is boundless. "

AL TOMLINS

SMALL BATCHUnited Kingdom

“ We've been working with Raw Material for three years in Colombia now and have been able to develop meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships with small producers in Quindio and Nariño through their good work. I’m a big fan of the Raw Material sourcing and pricing model in Colombia. It makes a genuine difference, generating better coffee for roasters, better prices for producers and a sustainable incentive for them to produce more high quality coffees. "

JOHN GORDON

GORILLA GEARUnited Kingdom / New Zealand

2010, 2011, 2013 UK Barista Champion

“ The incredible amount of hard work, dedication, and passion going into this initiative and what will be next level responsibility in the coffee supply chain, is more than enough for me to whole heartedly support this project in every way possible. Any coffee enthusiast should support this project. ”

KIM WON JOON (NASH)

GOM COFFEE ROASTERS & CAMPUSSouth Korea

“ I'm so excited to be part of this awesome project and proud of it. I believe this project will make a great contribution to the producers' productivity, profit, and development of their environment. A big appreciation to Raw Material for giving us this great opportunity, this is going to be so much fun. ”

JADE JENNINGS

VENEZIANOAustralia

“ I love the enthusiasm of the guys from Raw Material - always willing to get in there and get their hands dirty for the good of the farmer. Specialty coffee is more than great tasting coffee, it's a way to empower people. "

CRAIG HOLT

ATLAS COFFEE IMPORTERSUSA

“ The Raw Material team have been doing great work in sustainable supply chains for several years now. They understand how to get things done efficiently, and they are true coffee geeks.(Which is the highest praise I can give someone.) ”

MATT TROUGHTON

GRACE & TAYLORAustralia

“ I’ve known the founders of Raw Material for over a decade, and have seen first hand how their work helps farmers in the local community to improve coffee quality. I just returned from my first origin trip to Colombia where we stayed at El Fénix and saw all the plans coming to fruition. Our company is very excited to support this new wet mill project. ”

DR GRAEME LINDSAY

DAILY ESPRESSONew Zealand

“ During my visit to El Fénix I learnt of the opportunities Miguel, Matt and others are developing for the farm to be a hub of coffee innovation. The aim is to bring growers together to share knowledge and resources to develop their coffee quality, and to have greater management of their exports. Their philosophy is to improve coffee quality through sustainable, organic plant husbandry. These changes will flow outwards, improving farmer’s skills and financial rewards, and also the flavour shared with my customers. ”

NIC RAPP

FLIGHT COFFEENew Zealand

2014, 2015 New Zealand Brewers Cup Champion

" As we grow as an industry, we get to roast and brew more and more amazing coffees. Contributing to this project is one thing we can do to help producers continue to do what they do best: producing tasty coffee. Improving infrastructure, facilities, and expertise is an essential step if we want to continue to grow on both sides of the supply chain. The Raw Material team are definitely the guys and gals to be spearheading this incredible initiative. "

ROB DUNNE

OLD SPIKEUnited Kingdom

“ The definition of trust is the firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something. Relations have to be built on trust. I trust in the people, the agenda, the role and the product. I trust in Raw Material’s pool of resources, the experience, and time that has been spent getting to this point. I’d rather be a part of this movement than waiting for it to happen. "

MARIA HERNANDEZ

THE BEANS OF FIREColombia / France

" El Fénix is an amazing project lead by a great team, that will directly benefit producers to better dry and process coffee and will at the same time benefit coffee consumers by providing more delightful coffee.We are super proud and grateful for what Raw Material is doing for the coffee community (both consumers and producers) and we encourage you to support this amazing project in every way possible. "

BRYAN O'LEARY

LABORATORY IMPROVEMENT SPECIALISTNew Zealand

“ I've known these guys literally since before I can remember. Last year got to travel to El Fénix in Colombia with them. I met growers in the region, visited farms, and saw first hand that this is an amazing project with huge potential for the region's growers. The passion of these guys shines in everything they do, and the knowledge and quality of their work is second to none. Trust me, I’m a scientist. "

MIKE SULLIVAN

PROUD MARY COFFEE ROASTERSAustralia

" During a recent trip to Colombia with Raw Material to El Fénix, I saw first hand the vision of this project. What makes it a success is that it’s equally a moral investment as it is monetary. The model is so transparent that they can show you the breakdown of costs and expenditure through the entire value chain to the end buyer. Within their network is team of seasoned professionals that know best practices and processing techniques to ensure quality of coffee. Total transparency and quality. "

SAM LOW

CODE BLACKNew Zealand / Australia

2016 New Zealand Barista Champion

" El Fénix is a Raw Material project focussed on helping the farmers, the region, and the supply chain. Through this project the farmers get a mill where they can control variables and process high-quality coffee, meaning we get better coffee and a consistent product as consumers, while farmers get better livelihoods through the premium we pay for these coffees. "

KEITH KLEIN

GRACE & TAYLORAustralia

“ The work Raw Material does for producers is exemplary. The building of this community wet mill is the latest and most public commitment to their values. I have seen Raw Material consistently demonstrate their integrity over the years. They listen to what farmers are asking for, then apply their knowledge, experience, and connections to make good things happen. I have great faith in the work that these fine people do. I'm very excited to support the El Fénix project. ”